Twilight Sparkle: I hope Shining Armor and Princess Cadance don't think it's too soon for me to come back to the Crystal Empire for a visit. But I just know Flurry Heart's grown so much already. I wonder if I'll even recognize her.

Starlight Glimmer: She's the only baby they have, Twilight. I think it'll be pretty easy to figure out who she is.

Twilight Sparkle: [annoyed grunt]

Starlight Glimmer: Sorry. I know you want to visit your niece as much as possible, and I'm excited to see Sunburst again. I just don't wanna fall behind on my friendship lessons back home.

Twilight Sparkle: Starlight, your work in Ponyville isn't going anywhere. Besides, I think we all know you can learn about friendship anywhere. Right, Spike?

Twilight Sparkle: Oh, she's gotten so big! Starlight and I will do whatever we can to help protect her.

Princess Cadance: To be honest, having you here is already a big relief.

Royal guard 2: [whispers indistinctly]

Shining Armor: Hmm. The royal guards were wondering if Spike the Brave and Glorious would like to join in the search for the changeling.

Spike: Really?

Twilight Sparkle: Uh, I don't know if that's such a good idea, Spike. It sounds dangerous.

Spike: Come on, Twilight, this is Spike the Brave and Glorious you're talking to. Have you ever known me to run from danger?

Twilight Sparkle: Um...

Shining Armor: He'll be safe with our guards.

Spike: Or will your guards be safe with me?

Twilight Sparkle: [sighs]

Royal guard 1: Spike the Brave and Glorious, you've faced the evil changelings before. What can you tell us?

Spike: Oh, uh, well, they are changelings, so they can... change.

Royal guard 1: [to other guards] You hear that? These monsters can look like any of us, so be on guard, guards! Even more than normal.

Spike: And they could be anywhere.

Royal guards: [affirming snort]

Spike: So we should cover as much ground as possible. You, search that way!

[whoosh]

Spike: And you, search that way!

[whoosh]

Spike: And... I'll... just search... here, I guess. Not many places to hide. Unless that rock is a changeling. Okay, rock. How do I know you're really a rock? Hmm. Not talkin', huh? Well, you can't fool me! Uhh! Ow! [screams]

Thorax: The ice is pretty slippery. I wouldn't want you to get hurt because of me.

Spike: You... saved me?

Thorax: It's okay. I know you don't wanna be friends.

Spike: Wait! I don't understand. Changelings are supposed to be evil... right?

Thorax: Evil? Oh, not me. All I've ever wanted is a friend.

Thorax: [narrating] From the moment I first split my egg in the nursery hive...

[changeling larva hissing]

Baby Thorax: [whimpering]

Thorax: [narrating] I was part of the attack on Canterlot during the royal wedding, but I'd never seen true friendship like that! And I couldn't just steal it and feed on its love. I wanted to share it!

[explosion]

Thorax: After that, I knew I couldn't live with my kind anymore. I set off looking for love to share, but...

Spike: But... what?

Thorax: I'm starving! And there's so much love in the Crystal Empire right now. It's what drew me here! But it's drivin' me crazy!

Spike: That would be from the royal Crystalling. It's pretty much a giant outpouring of light and love for a new baby.

Thorax: [hisses] Oh, sorry! I'm just so hungry! If I had a friend, maybe the love we shared could sustain me, but I don't think the Crystal Ponies want to be friends.

Spike: What if I told you there was somepony they respect and admire so much, he could convince them to give it a try?

Thorax: So? So? Uh, what did they say? How many new friends do I have?

Spike: Well, it didn't go exactly the way I thought.

Thorax: [groans] I understand. Well, thanks for trying. I-I guess it's not surprising. How can you expect ponies who looks like this... [transformation noise] to trust something that looks like this? [transformation noise]

Spike: I think I might know!

[door opens]

Twilight Sparkle: Spike, if you're done searching for the changeling, Starlight and I could use your help. We're working on a protection spell for Flurry Heart, and nopony takes notes like you.

Starlight Glimmer: I know it's bad that there's a changeling around, but is all this really necessary?

Princess Cadance: If there's one changeling, there may well be a whole army on the way.

Twilight Sparkle: True. But Starlight has a point. This is getting a little out of hand.

Princess Cadance: [sighs] I understand, but I don't know what else we can do.

Spike: I do!

[ponies gasp]

Shining Armor: Spike! What are you doing?! Get away from that thing!

Spike: No. He's not a "thing"! His name is Thorax, and he's my friend!

Royal guards and Shining Armor: [gasp]

Princess Cadance and Sunburst: [gasp]

Starlight Glimmer: [gasp]

[Spike]

Would you say I'm a hero

Glorious and brave

If I told you something you wouldn't believe?

That sometimes I'm scared

And I can make mistakes

And I'm not so heroic, it seems

But if day can turn to night

And the darkness turn to light

Then why can't we imagine a changeling can change?

No two ponies are exactly the same

No two snowflakes ever match their design

And I thought I was strong

But I was nothing but wrong

When I forgot to be friendly and kind

But if day can turn to night

And the darkness turn to light

Then why can't we imagine a changeling can change?

Would you say I'm a hero

Glorious and brave

If I told you something you wouldn't believe?

This changeling, it seems

Knows the real me

And would stay by my side 'til the end

So if day can turn to night

And the darkness turn to light

Then why can't we imagine

Just why can't we imagine

Then why can't we imagine a changeling can change?

[long beat]

Twilight Sparkle: Spike, I'm so proud of you.

Spike: You are?

Twilight Sparkle: Of course! You're a celebrity here in the Crystal Empire, and you just risked all of it for a friend! I can't imagine anything more brave than that. [to others] As the Princess of Friendship, I try to set an example for all of Equestria. But today, it was Spike who taught me that a new friend can come from anywhere. I guess everypony still has things to learn about friendship. Even me! And if Spike says Thorax is his friend, then he's my friend too.

Thorax: Thank you.

Princess Cadance: On behalf of the Crystal Empire, I would like to extend my hoof in friendship, and I'm sure all of my subjects are eager to do the same.

[guards cheering]

Flurry Heart: [coos]

Shining Armor: Welcome to the Crystal Empire, Thorax. I'm sorry we didn't take the time to get to know you. Maybe we can change that now.

Thorax: That'd be so amazing! I want to know all about friendship, and maybe one day I can take that knowledge back to the Changeling Kingdom! If my kind learned how to create love for one another, maybe they wouldn't have to take it from others!